Delhi Drenched: Record-Breaking Rains Cause Havoc
Delhi Batters by Record Rainfall
Delhi is grappling with its wettest May on record, as heavy rains and a powerful thunderstorm overnight Saturday turned streets into rivers, snarled traffic, and delayed flights at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Soaking Levels
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Delhi’s main weather station at Safdarjung has recorded an astounding 186.4 mm of rainfall this month — nearly nine times the average of 21.9 mm. This surpasses the previous May record of 165 mm set back in 2008.
Storm Warnings Issued
The IMD issued a red alert around 10:30 pm Saturday, warning of an approaching thunderstorm. They predicted severe thunderstorms with strong winds (60-100 kmph), moderate rainfall, and the potential for damaging consequences like uprooted trees, damaged structures, and disrupted power lines. Public advisories urged people to stay indoors, avoid trees and metal structures, and for farmers and laborers to suspend field work.
Impacts Across the City
Across the city, rainfall ranged from 37 mm at Aya Nagar to 81.4 mm at Safdarjung. Wind gusts reached speeds of up to 82 km/h, causing temperatures to plummet by 8 to 10 degrees Celsius in just 90 minutes.
Experts Explain the Cause
Umashankar Das, a senior scientist at the National Weather Forecasting Centre of the IMD, explained the factors contributing to the intense rainfall. He said the interplay of moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea with dry westerly winds in the mid-troposphere created the conditions for these powerful thunderstorms.
He also pointed to specific weather systems at play, including a Western Disturbance, an upper air cyclonic circulation over northwest Uttar Pradesh, and another over West Rajasthan.
May’s Turbulent Weather
Delhi has endured a series of violent storms throughout May. On May 2, the city saw 77 mm of rainfall in a single day, resulting in the tragic death of four family members in Dwarka when their home collapsed. May 15 brought a thick haze and poor air quality due to dust from Pakistan and northwestern India, while on May 21, extreme heat gave way to a sudden plunge in temperature caused by powerful wind gusts.
These storms have taken a toll, with at least 12 reported deaths, over 300 uprooted trees, widespread infrastructure damage, and widespread power outages, road closures, and waterlogging.
